Scale with liquid mix on one side and powdered on the other

Liquid vs. Powder Ice Cream Mix: What You Need to Know

Posted on Dec 04, 2023

Selecting the perfect ice cream mix is essential to the success of your ice cream shop or restaurant. Whether you’re considering liquid ice cream mix or powder ice cream mix, each option comes with their own pro’s and cons that will impact your product quality, cost, and operational efficiency. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between liquid and powder mixes, helping you make an informed choice tailored to your business needs.


 Liquid Ice Cream Mix liquid drop liquid powder mix for making gelato and hard ice cream

Liquid Ice Cream Mix At A Glance Infographic Slices Concession

The Product

Liquid ice cream mix creates the quintessential soft serve ice cream, the type of product you remember eating as a child. The taste and texture are similar to that of the large chains that carry soft serve, like Dairy Queen. In more technical terms, liquid ice cream mix is dairy-based and the butterfat content is higher (4-6%), creating a smoother ice cream with fewer ice crystals.

Distribution, Storage & Price

Liquid ice cream mix must be kept refrigerated below 40℉ and has a short shelf life, requiring rapid distribution and quick use. Not every distributor has the ability to distribute liquid mix, due to its short shelf life. Therefore, liquid soft serve mix is not available everywhere.

These requirements make transporting this kind of ice cream difficult, putting a strain on distribution and transportation on all levels. Thus, liquid mix is recommended for shops, restaurants, and those making ice cream on-site and where the distribution of the liquid mix is available.

Liquid ice cream mix will run you a few more dollars than powder, due to the higher fat content. Fat equals money, in this case, and higher fat content means a more expensive product.

 Powder Ice Cream Mix powder scoop  powder mix for soft serve ice cream

Powder Ice Cream Mix At A Glance Infographic Slices Concession

The Product

Did you ever eat ice cream at the county fair as a kid? You probably enjoyed ice cream made from powder mix then! Powder ice cream mix is usually nondairy. Compared to liquid mix, powder ice cream mix has a little bit more crystallization. 

Distribution, Storage & Price

Ice cream powder mix has a stable shelf life and is easily transportable, making it effective and efficient for distribution. These features allow the mix to be shipped anywhere, making powder mix convenient for those without liquid mix distribution.

Easy transportation also allows the customer to make ice cream virtually anytime and anywhere – ice cream machine and electricity withstanding.

For these reasons, powder mix is great for fairs and festivals or for any seller that needs to travel with their product. Ice cream powder mix will also cost you less, due to a lack of fat in the mix. And that’s a plus for everyone!


Once you decide on what type of mix best fits your company, give us a call and we can connect you with the machine that’s right for you!

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